Western Diocese

Sacramento, CA - At the invitation of State Senators Joe Simitian, Jack Scott and Elaine Alquist, His Eminence Abp Hovnan Derderian offered the opening prayer for the California State Senate, the State’s Highest Legislative Body, on the occasion of the presentation of a proclamation commemorating the Armenian Genocide. The proclamation was introduced by Senator Simitian, and continued California’s long standing policy of honoring the memory of the victims of the Genocide.

Joining the Primate at the State Capitol were the four clergymen of the Western Diocese in the Northern Region, Fr. Sarkis Petoyan, pastor of St. John San Francisco and Vicar of the Northern Region, Fr. Mesrob Sarafyan, pastor of St. Vartan Oakland,  Fr. Datev Haroutunyan, pastor of St. Andrew Cupertino, and Fr. Asoghig Jamgotchian of St. James Sacramento.  Also in attendance were candidates for the priesthood Dn. Krikor Avagyan, and Dn. Matthew Ash, as well as Mr. Greg Martayan, member of the Diocesan Government Affairs and Protocol Committee. Several dedicated members of the St. James Sacramento parish also joined the delegation.

In Senator Simitian’s introductory remarks he said, “Until and unless we acknowledge what has happened in the past, we cannot begin to have a hope of building a better future.”

Upon offering the opening prayer, the Primate was invited to make remarks regarding the proclamation. “Distinguished and honorable Senators, allow me to extend to you all, as the spiritual leader of the Western Diocese, the deep gratitude of the faithful of the Armenian Apostolic Church for the passing of this resolution which reflects the strength of your leadership, your vision for justice, and your genuine respect for the victims of the Armenian Genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Turkish Empire of 1915,” said the Primate in his remarks.

The full text of the Primate’s prayer and remarks can be found below.

Opening Prayer for the State Senate

Almighty God, guide us all with your wisdom and love to live a life with dignity and to bring your light to the minds and souls of the people who strive for justice and peace. By Your grace, illuminate our path that we may learn the duties entrusted to us for the wellbeing of the people for whom we are called to serve diligently.

Today we offer special prayers for the California State Senate for remembering with genuine respect, the victims of the first genocide of the twentieth century.

In our prayers of remembrance we also render respect for the leaders and the people of the United States of America, who have embraced and sheltered the orphans and the survivors of the first genocide and have guided us to make this blessed country a home where we are continuously encouraged and supported as good citizens of America to firmly uphold our faith as Christians, and our love for our ancestral land of Armenia.

In the grace of your benevolence, O Lord, we turn our eyes to the future and give thanks. As Americans of Armenian decent we have not only lived, but thrived in the United States for generations. The true values of this country are democracy and freedom, two principles which contribute to a God-pleasing vision for universal respect for humanity.

Bless O God the Senators of the State of California and their mission, and grant them all the strength of faith so that they will spend and be spent in the service of the people of the state of California.

State Senate Speech

Distinguished and honorable Senators, allow me to extend to you all, as the spiritual leader of the Western Diocese, the deep gratitude of the faithful of the Armenian Apostolic Church for the passing of this resolution which reflects the strength of your leadership, your vision for justice, and your genuine respect for the victims of the Armenian Genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Turkish Empire of 1915. The remnants of the Genocide arrived in this blessed country as orphans and survivors. Decades have passed since the darkest days of Genocide and our communities have flourished in the United States. Commemorative Ceremonies for the victims of the Genocide also become celebrations of the resurrection of our nation and our ancestral land of Armenia. However, the recognition of the Armenian Genocide will remain to be our legacy to pursue. True honor for the victims of the Genocide is conditioned by the universal recognition of the Genocide

Today we applaud this body’s long standing efforts to boldly affirm the Historical truth of the Armenian Genocide. The sentiments proclaimed in this State’s Senate send a message loud and clear that we as Californian’s uphold a true vision to decry man’s inhumanity to man, and pays respect to all those who fell victim to mankind’s greatest crime, genocide.

Distinguished Senators, Americans of Armenian origin have been in this country for almost a century. The history of our community has proven the fact that its founding fathers and their children have lived creative and contributive lives and have committed for the welfare of this country, and especially this state, through engagement, service, and sacrifice. This year’s observance of the victims of the Genocide deepens in our hearts the dream of our forefathers to stand for America, but above all to uphold true respect for the martyrs.